Daku
Surf guide
Daku is one of the most fun waves on the island when it's on: a long, easy right peeling off the north side of the island, a quick boat ride from GL with a backdrop that earns its spot on the camera roll. It needs at least 3 to 4 ft to wake up and is best from shoulder to head-high, but don't believe anyone who tells you it can't get big: it can, and then some. The roll-in take-off and long wall make it gold for beginners and longboarders, though it sharpens up as the swell and current build. It's the go-to for instructors and resorts when everything else is too big and Guiwan's flat, which is exactly why the single peak gets crowded and the drop-ins start. Ride a longboard or mid-length to carry through the fat first section that trips up shortboarders, and if the peak's a zoo, paddle off and explore the other breaks scattered around the island. Hazards to watch: the reef dries out on low tide, so stick to mid-to-high. There's just one take-off zone, so expect drop-ins and the odd wave dispute, lean on good etiquette. The soft beginner wave gains real power and current as it grows, and it's boat-access only with no facilities, so sort a reliable boatman. Where it fits: a natural progression from Jacking Horse and a good longboard step before Cemetery and Stimpy's. It is also one of the busiest single peaks on the island, so if you want the same level with more room, Cemetery spreads across five peaks and Tangbo up north is quieter again.
Ideal conditions
Swell direction
3-10 ft East to Northeast swells.
Wind direction
West or Southwest light offshore winds. The break is protected by Daku Island so also works on South winds.
Tide
Mid-high. Exposed reef on a low tide.
Wave difficulty
Beginner
An easy roll-in takeoff into a long right-hander. On small to medium days, beginner and intermediate surfers on shortboards might struggle to navigate the first fat section (deep water area with less power). Intermediate on bigger swells.
Wave quality
Good
Long rights when conditions are good. Needs some swell to get going, but the scenery and wave length make this one of our favorites.
Crowd factor
Crowded
We rated the crowd factor as high since there is a single takeoff zone. Leave General Luna on a high tide before sunrise for the best chance to score an hour or so alone.
How to get there
Daku is a 15 to 20 minute boat ride (around 3.8 km, weather depending) from General Luna. Hire boats from the marketplace boardwalk or the Cemetery launch point: roughly 800 to 1,500 PHP for a half-day, split among up to six surfers. Leaving from the marketplace, bring an extra 50 to 100 PHP per person for the environmental fee (it changes often, so treat it as a guide). Daku is part of the classic island-hopping trio with Naked and Guyam, so a surf pairs easily with a day on the islands, Daku itself has food stalls and day-trip facilities. There are several other breaks around the island to spread out on if the main peak's busy. General Luna, a short boat back, has the full run of stays, cafés and rentals.
Surf forecast & live wind
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